Water hoist



April 1, 1930. T. c. SPE LLING g 753,

' WATER HOIST I Filed Feb. 25, 1929 2 sheets-shet 1 mvszvrox April 1, 1930. T. c. SPELLING WATER HOI ST Filed Feb 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 1, 1930 THOMAS C. SPELLING, NEW YORK, Y.' i

WATER HOIS'I Application filed February 25, 1929. Serial No. 342,653.

ties of water, for storage, or to furnish a constant supply, and provides means for emptying a container of its liquid contents during continuous forward movement.

As pointing to the utility of the invention,

.10 attention is called to the fact that there is general interest in and discussion of uses for water including household, municipal, irrigation, stock-watering and mining uses, and especially for generating power. I

The object of this invention most simply stated is the provision of means for utilizing water for a variety of uses, which need not be here further specified.

Other objects and aims of the invention, 20 broader or narrower according to conditions and circumstances, than those stated above,

together with the advantages inherent, will be in part obvious, and in part specifically referred to in the course of the following de- 25 scription of the elements, combinations, arrangement of parts and application of principles constituting the invention; and the scope of protection contemplated will appear from the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which: I v

Figure 1 is an assembly side view, some of the shell of the container being broken away to uncover interior parts, and exhibiting those parts.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken centrally through one of a series of quadrangular supports and through other parts.

Figure 3 is a perspective of a container of a somewhat different arrangement from that shown in Fig. 1, showing applicability thereto of the proposed improvements.

Figure 4 exhibits the equipment on the margin of and beneath a slit in the rear wall of the container.

Figure 5 is a detached view of anvelement designed to prevent leakage around the ends 59 of a cross-bar. V

Figure 6 is a sectional view to show overlapping positions of a lobe and flap.

Figure 7 is a'view exhibiting a slit under the rear wall of the container'and the relative positions of parts. 5

Figure 8 shows an extension on the margins of an opening in a side of the container, of a slit and pliable filling therefor, the latter being shown under the rear wall of the container.

For a better understanding, I begin with a comprehensive description of certain essential parts and theirmodes of functioning, without reference to the figures or designating letters. The power is applied to an endless flat linked chain'andwill move it up one side and down the other and around on an endless sextangular frame. To the chain are attached containers for waterpossibly for other liquidsandthese are. carried, each in succession upward to a point at which it is emptied into a basin. Without even pausing, the carrier is moved around andover the apex of the frame and downward to the body of water constituting the source of supply. Continuing the forward movement, each carrier is drawn through the water and around the lower end of the frame, shown in the drawing in submergence, and filled. Continuing the. forward movement, it is again drawn upward. .Stationary rollers are placed at points shown in the drawings on the upper and lower terminals of the frame. These rollers are axled into the frame and may be formed of iron, steel, wood, or other hard substance, and be provided with coverings of vulcanized rubber or other suitable material between the flanges, to accommodate slight contractions or extensions of the chain due to variations in temperature. 32 These coverings also serve to keep thechain taut.

. In the hoistswhich have heretofore come to my notice, the wheels to which power was applied were located either in the extreme apex or in adjacent angles. Here, for convenience in operating the mechanism, the toothed wheels, 95, are located immediately abovethe base, and instead of the power chains extending obliquely upward, they here 109 .ize strain on the structure.

extend around the power wheels horizontally. Both, upon application of power, turn from left to right, thus cooperating to equal- The drawings exhibit here a support for the basin which in turn is supported on the main support for the structure. The latter penetrates the earth or other substance underlying the liquid supply. But, obviously, where it is desirable to hoist water from a canyon or subterranean source of supply a bridge or other superstructure could be built above the hoistand its equipment, and the structure attached to that for support.

It is deemed unnecessary to particularly describe or illustrate the shifting means whereby a sliding door 'is shifted from its position over theopening in the nether side of a container and released. It will suifice to state that such means consists of members stationed oppositely beyond the path of the con tainer, near one terminal of a horizontal portion of the frame. 'A pivoted catch, in the one form and an arm in an alternative form, is struck by ends of a cross-bar carried by the container, and after havingbe'en thus moved in slots, is automatically released by means carried on the container and; thereupon the sliding door is pulled back into its former position by the action of springs, the functioning of the springs being hereinafter d escribed.

Nor is any detailed reference to any antecedent superstructural guide necessary. The

following is a description of the present improvement, illustrated in Figure 2. The

supports, 59, constitute a series extending, at

proper spaces from each other, all around the frame. They are attached to the nether portions of the sides of the frame at 60, form angles beyond the path of the container and extend over across its path. Centrally, is attached to the series of supports the member, 61, which'extends all around the frame, equidistant from it, at all points. To each container is attached the guidemember, 62, carrying, axled into its bifurcated ends, the horizontally positioned rollers, 63. In-order to secure constant engagement of the rollers with the interior surfaces of the member, 61, the short folding spring, 64, is placed interiorly between the two portions of'the bar The parts of the bar are of quadrangular shape, and are positioned in, but not attached to, the socket 66. p The portions of the bar are secured together by the spring 64.. In putting together the parts, the spring will be compressed. Thus steady engagement on the one hand will be secured and, on the other, 60

swaying of the containerprevented.

.The next improvement to be described is a speedier means for emptying the container than any that is provided in any hoist heretofore invented, planned or used. That here provided will allow the content to almost in- ;what the drawing discloses.

stantly drop out, thus allowing speedy movetion of the functioning of the coiled wires contained within drums, 69, is needed, beyond The form, function,'action and reaction of the wires, to contain which the cylindrical drum, 69, is provided, are matters too well known to those skilled in'the art to require its detailed description. Hence, only the part, 71, attached to the cross-bar,'74, is exhibited. Obviously, the chambers in which the drums are positioned open into the interior of the container. There are two of the drums and contained wires, each wire suitably attached to the crossbar. Upon'being actuated by the exterior mechanisms, the wires exert a retarding force. At rest, the attachment of the wires to the cross-bar is on each side near the front end of the container, and, in operation, the wires are uncoiled and stretched by the backward movement of the cross-bar, 74, and sliding door, 7-5.

In the rear wall of the container is formed the narrow opening, 76, through which a short length, 73, of the sliding door protrudes, even when it is stationary, that is to say, after being pulled back by reaction of the wires. See Fig. 4. The opening, 76, extendsto the basic surface of the container. To prevent'leakage during the upward movement of the container on the frame, two parts of soft rubber or other flexible material are employed. The one part, 77, is slitted through its upper portion and sides, and into the slit isfitted and secured the top and side margins of the end wall. 7 such rubber attachment is fitted into a narrow recess in the base of the container the strip, 78, formed of soft rubber or other flexible material. These rubber parts are adapted to press down and up, respectively, sufficiently to prevent leakage, but not sufiiciently to produce such friction as to retard the movement back and forth of the sliding ,door. The rubber strip, 78, yields under the weight of the sliding door, especially while the container contains liquid. so that the contact of the sliding door with the integral margin of the interior of the container is not interfered with. I

The recess under the aforesaid opening in the rear is extended in and along the intc gral margin at the sides and across the front end of the nether side of the container as shown in Figure 8. The same filling of soft Directly under The apron is secured in place by the hook members, 80, attached to the rear wall, allowing its free vertical movement. It is supported in horizontal position by the slender springs, which are given the reference number, 81. in Fig. 1, and are likewise supported on and extend out from the rear wall of the container. As here shown, they are bent back against adjacent parts. To prevent the apron falling back against the rear wall during the movement of the container around the frame, and being thus prevented from functioning,

the slender rigid bars, 82, also supported on' the rear wall, are positioned above it, as seen in the drawing. V

Simultaneously with the arrival of the cross-bar at the point shown in Figure 1, the apron is forced down by the downpour of liquid on and against it, whereby the return movement of the cross-bar, otherwise immediately responsive to the reaction of the wires, 71, is delayed. Obviously, upon removal of the pressure on the apron, the slender springs, 81, push it back to horizontal position.

Means are also provided for 're\enting leakage around the terminals of tee crossbar, 74. The flaps, 83, are attached to upper margins of slots, 8 illustrated in Figure 5. Lobes, 85, are secured to the adjacent inner margins of the slots, as shown in Figuref) and operation of the mechanism causes the lobes to exert downward pressure on the ends of the cross-bar, I provide here also, the underlying strip, 86, which rests in a recess in the base of the container, and the combined effect of lobe and strip is the preventionof leakage at that point, very similarly as it is prevented at the rear, as above explained. At the junction of the flaps and lobes, they are oppositely tapered, as shown in Figure 6, the flaps tapering inwardly and the lobes out-- wardly. Thus they are adapted to cooperate in preventing leakage, without interference with respective functions; and the downward pressure of the lobes insures frictional contact of the sliding door with integral mar-'- gins of the container.

Another improvement has for its object means for accelerating the downflow and exit of the liquid content of the container. It is evident that the speedier current at the centre of the outflow, and adjacent thereto, and

in diminishing degrees as the distance from the center increases, will, to some extent, obstruct the sect-ions or portions of liquid content at the sides and in the corners; and especially in those chambers constructed for the emplacement of the drums and WlIGIQQHlllGI'S designed to pull backthe cross-bar and slid 'ing door. To ofiset or overcome the tendency just mentioned, the obliquely slanted partition, 87, is provided and attached to the sides and front wall, as seen in Figure 1. It is observable that. to this objective effect the apron, 79, at the rear end also contributes, thus performing the double function of temporarily scotching the cross-bar and of diverting the main stream toward the'centre, allowing those portions of content'below and behind it to run out, simultaneously with the main stream, thus functioning for the rear end as the partition functions for the front.

Inother Words they function in combination. v

- A modification is illustrated in Fig. 3, to show the applicability of elements embodied in the main invention to a container of somewhat different form. Therein, the opening under the sliding door, 67, extends only approximately one-half the length of the container, and the sliding ClOO1 COIlSpO11ClS in dlmension proportionately. The door and lnterior actuating means are entirely within the container. The parts illustrated are differentiable from the same parts as shown 1n Fig. 1 only as regards positions and supports for the hook n1embers,"slend'er rigid bars, and slender springs, here shown at rest, with the reference number, 93. In other words, whereas in Fig. 1 the apron and its equipment are supported on the rear-wall, here they are supported on therear partltionnear its lower edge. The rear'partition terminates just above the path of the cross-bar and sliding door.- It will be noted that, whereas inFig. 1 the cross-bar when actuated'pushes, here it pulls backithe slid,- ing door. 'A technical description-"may be given as follows i The partitions, 88 and 92, are supported on the interior rear and sides of the container. Tothe partition 88, near its lower terminal are securedthe hooks, '91, on which is. suspended the apron, 89; The apron is supportedbelow by the slender springs, 93, and its backward movement is checked by the slender rigid bars, 94, all being supported on the partition. The apron here functions to scotchthe front edge of the sliding door,

lit;

in the downpour of liquid, as does the correwould otherwise obstruct the movement of the apron. o

Very little remains to be added concerning the actuating elements ofthe invention. In the position here assigned it, the toothed wheel 95, and the larger pulley wheel, emplaced on a common axle 96 positioned in a portion 98, of the frame, suitably formed, will be nearer the operator ofthe mechanism than if the actuating means were located in u per angles. A mere fragment of the chain, 9:, is here shown; and even that is omitted on the right hand side in order to exhibit part, 98. It may be again properly remarked that both toothed wheels, 95, are designed to turn to the right. The container is supported on and attached to the chain as in icated in Figure 1.

Detailed description of the supporting structure for the entire mechanism is here omitted, and for thereasons already stated. The support for the basin, 100, exhibited in Figure 1, in fragmentary form, will, in a complete hoist be supported on the support for the entire hoist.

WVhat I desire to secure byUnited States Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a container for liquids having an open discharge portion and a slotted end wall, and a sliding closure for the discharge portion adapted to move through said slotted end wall in opening the discharge portion, in combination with sealing means at the slot-ted end portion of the wall cooperatively related to the sliding closure to prevent leakage therebetween.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a container for liquids having a bottom discharge portion adapted to be opened for substantially the full extent of the bottom of the container, a closure for said discharge portion, and means for supporting said closure whereby the same may be bodily withdrawn beyond one wall of the container, in combination with means for automatically returning the closure to closed position when the container is emptied, and means adapted to be influenced by liquid discharging from the container for restraining the closure in open position in opposition to the action of the closure returning means.

3. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a container for liquids having a bottom discharge portion, a closure forsaid discharge portion, means for automatically closing and normally maintaining the closure in closed position, and means adapted to be influenced by the liquid discharging from the container for restraining the closure in open position against the action of the closing means.

4. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, a container for liquids having a bottom discharge portion, a closure for said dis- 5. In an apparatus of the character described, a container for liquids having a bottom discharge portion, a closure for said discharge portion, means for automatically closing and normally maintaining the closure in closed position, and means adapted to be influenced by the liquid discharging from the container for restraining the closure in open position against the action of the closing means, said last mentioned means comprising a yieldable apron arranged to be forced downwardly by discharging water into the path of return movement of the closure, said yieldable apron having means for restoring the same to normal position out of said path when the influence of the liquid on the apron is removed.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a container for liquids having a bottom discharge portion, a closure for said discharge portion, means for automatically cl0sing and normally maintaining the closure in closed position, and means adapted to be influenced by the liquid discharging from the container for restraining the closure in open position against the action of the closing means, said last mentioned means comprising a yieldable apron arranged to be forced downwardly by discharging water into the path of return movement of the closure, said apron being elongated to serve when forced downwardly as an inclined deflector to direct the discharging liquid to a predetermined zone of escape.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a container for liquids having a bottom discharge portion, a closure-for said discharge, portion, means for automatically closing and normally maintaining the closure in closed position, and means adapted to be influenced. by the liquid discharging from the container for restraining the closure in open position against the action of the closing means, said last mentionedmeans comprising a yieldable apron arranged to be forced downwardly by discharging water into the path of return movement of the closure, said apron being elongated to serve when forced downwardly as an inclined deflector to direct the discharging liquid to a predetermined zone of escape, the apron or deflector being notched at its free or lower end to accommodate a water shed or the like.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a container for liquids having a hottom discharge opening, a closure therefor, and means adapted to be controlled by the liquid discharging from the container for directing said discharging liquid to the intended zone of escape.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a container for liquids having a bottom discharge opening, a closure therefor, and means adapted to be controlled by the liquid discharging from the container for directing said discharging liquid to the intended zone of escape, said means comprising a self-restorable apron or deflector depressible into directing position by the weight of the discharging liquid thereagainst.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a container for liquids having a bottom discharge opening, a closure therefor, and means adapted to be controlled by the liquid discharging from the container for directing said discharging liquid to the intended zone of escape, said means comprising a self-restorable apron or deflector depressible into directing position by the weight of the discharging liquid thereagainst, in combination with an oppositely disposed deflector cooperatively related to said first mentioned deflector whereby the discharging liquid is directed towards-a relatively centrally disposed zone of escape.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a liquid container having an open bottom, means for carrying the; container 1n approximately vertical and horizontal directions, a slidable closure for the open bottom withdrawable in the direction of one end of the container, a hinged apron adapted to be forced, by discharging water, through the opening when permitted by wlthdrawal of the closure, a spring for restoring the apron "to normal position away from the path of closing movement of the closure when the container is emptied, and means for preventing displacement of the apron from operative position when the container is travelllng through its vertical to its horizontal position.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, a container having an open bottom portion, a sliding door therefor,.means at one endof the container operatively associated with the sliding door for closing the latter, and a deflector in the container overhanging said end thereof to direct the discharging liquid away from the same.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, a container having an open bottom portion, a sliding door therefor, means at one end of the container operatively associated with the sliding door for closing the latter, and a deflector in the container overhanging said end thereof to direct the discharging liquid away from the same, said closing means including a drum at said end of the contalner, retracting spring means,

and suitable connections with the sliding door.

'14. In combination, a container having a bottom discharge portion, a closure therefor, and oppositely arranged aprons or deflectors in the container adapted, when the closure is open, to direct the discharging material to a relatively central point.

15. In combination, a liquid container having a bottom discharge port-ion, and slotted sides, a sliding door for the discharge portion having actuating parts working in said slotted sides, and means for sealing the path ofmovement defined by the slotted portions, said sealing means including oppositely beveled separately engaging flexible sealing strips.

16. In combination, a liquid container having a bottom discharge portion and slotted sides, a sliding door for the discharge portion having actuating parts working in said slotted sides, and means for sealing the path of movement defined by the slotted portions, said sealing means including lobe-like yieldable packing portions engageable with the door actuating parts, substantially as and for the purpose described.

17. In a machine of the character described, a framework, a carrier working thereon, a container on said carrier, oppositely disposing guiding members, and yieldable antifriction bearing members on the carrier engageable with said guiding members, substantially as and for the purpose described.

THOMAS C. SPELLING. V 

